First Universalist Church

This month we consider what the theme of sacrifice might mean for us as Unitarian Universalists. In a world where sacrifice has so often meant the destruction of the less powerless for the pleasure or salvation of the powerful, what value can this concept possibly hold for us? Come join the conversation as we consider stretching the circle of "I" to include a much larger "we." Wisdom Story: Rev. Justin Schroeder Sermon: Rev. Jen Crow Piano music: Franco Holder

Guest preacher Rabbi Michael Latz, senior Rabbi of Shir Tikvah in Minneapolis, gives a sermon about history, co-location, and Vision.  Worship Associate: Jason Berry Sermon: Rabbi Michael Latz

In 2011, Rev. Justin preached a sermon called “The Purpose Driven Church.” Now, eight years later, he's preaching part 2, as we explore our theme of “Vision” and the deeper purposes of faith community. As Oscar Romero said, “A church that doesn’t provoke any crises, a gospel that doesn’t unsettle, a word of God that doesn’t get under anyone’s skin, a word of God that doesn’t touch the real sin of the society in which it is being proclaimed — ​what gospel is that?” In this service, we’ll explore our purpose, the power of an unsettling gospel, and where that is leading us. Worship Associate: Juliet Ali-Caccamo Sermon: Rev. Justin Schroeder Piano music: Franco Holder  

Meditation has taught me that each breath is new and unique, and worthy of my full attention. My Unitarian Universalist faith teaches me that this is true for each interaction with another human being. When I am deeply attentive, not assuming I know what my breath or the person in front of me is going to do, I open up to the holy, to the possible. All of a sudden, my assumptions, “shoulds,” and expectations are sidelined, and a wide open horizon unfolds in front of me, a whole new vision of what could be. What happens when we, as community, practice putting down our assumptions, “shoulds,” and expectations? Does a whole new vision wake up in us? Worship Associate: Pamela Reed Reading: Our Visions are Ropes through the Devastation, adrienne marie brown Sermon: Rev. Justin Schroeder Piano: Franco Holder

As we move into our new worship theme of “Vision,” we’ll consider all that our lofty goals and aspirations give to us, and what we can do when we lose our way. What happens when that clear idea of what was right comes into contact with the realities of our lives or the discomfort that moving toward our ideals might bring? How do we find our way again when we are lost? Wisdom Story: The Most Magnificent Thing, Rev. Elaine Aron-Tenbrink (& Rev. Justin Schroeder as "the kid.") Reading: Under Ideal Conditions by Al Zolynas  Sermon: When Vision Fails by Rev. Jen Crow, read by Rev. Elaine Aron-Tenbrink  

  Our bodies ain’t what they used to be. Our bodies have a history of collective change. Our bodies are the repositories of science in motion. Our bodies are an amazing biological story of adaptation. Come and celebrate human potential while taking a deep dive off the cliff of mystery and change. Call to Worship: Drew Rosielle Sermon: Rev. Karen Hutt Piano: Franco Holder  

In his 1967 speech, “Where Do We Go From Here?”, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., gave clear instructions. “We must massively assert our dignity and worth.” On this MLK Sunday, we will do as Dr. King instructed us, exploring his words and his work as we learn to love our bodies as an act of resistance – especially if we are people who live within marginalized identities. Call to Worship: Richard Lopez Sermon: Rev. Jen Crow Piano: Franco Holder  

“All our bodies are fundamentally good and lovable (Rachel Martin).” What do you feel when you read this statement? What wells up in your consciousness, in your body? Does your breath come a little easier? Does your jaw relax? This Sunday we explore the goodness of our bodies no matter what shape, size or color, and the ways in which our bodies might teach us a deeper kind of interconnectedness and health. Call to Worship: Jason Berry Sermon: Rev. Ruth MacKenzie Music: Franco Holder

Wisdom Story: Badger's Parting Gifts, Susan Varley- Lauren Wyeth Reading: My Mother's Belly, Sonya Renee Taylor - Rev. Elaine Aron Tenbrink Homily: Rev. Justin Schroeder Guest Musicians: The OK Factor

Call to Worship: Youth Cultural Exchange Homily: Rev. Karen Hutt Piano: Franco Holder

Creating and finding sanctuary are spiritual survival skills. In this time when so much is broken and so many of us feel broken, how can we create sanctuary for ourselves and others? Come and know again the light that can shine through the broken places in us all. Call to Worship: Janell Hill Sermon: Rev. Jen Crow Piano: Franco Holder

First Universalist Choir, directed by Dr. Randal Buikema, lead this worship service with a performance of Gloria by Antonio Vivaldi, with "Stories of Sanctuary" in between movements. Hidden inside this seasonal classic is a story of sanctuary. Vivaldi wrote Gloria for Ospedale della Pieta’, a charitable institution established in the 14th century to house and care for orphaned and abandoned children. To support its mission of providing sanctuary for children, the Pieta’ formed a girls orchestra and choir, which became well known throughout Europe. Their most famous teacher and concert master was Vivaldi. You might say that he wrote Gloria to provide sanctuary for forgotten children.  

Sanctuary is a holy refuge, a place of worship, and a hiding place for migrants. But what if you keep looking for sanctuary and you can’t find it? What if sanctuary is elusive to you? What if your sanctuary is on fire? Where do you go for safety? Call to Worship: Leila Ambrus Sermon: Rev. Karen Hutt Piano: Franco Holder  

As we witness migrants in crisis on our southern border and within our own community, As we witness the myriad ways that humans are in need of safety and greater wholeness, As we remember the times that we have needed sanctuary ourselves—which may be this very moment- We ask ourselves: What does it mean to give and receive sacred refuge? How do we practice sanctuary? Wisdom Story: Lauren Wyeth Sermon: Rev. Elaine Aron Tenbrink Piano: Franco Holder  

All month we’ve been exploring the non-negotiables in our lives. We end this month’s theme by turning to “The Big Non-Negotiable,” that thing that every human being shares as an ultimate non-negotiable, no matter age, gender, race, culture, class, religion, or education. On this Sunday, facing our own mortality, we will fully immerse ourselves in the present moment of life. Call to Worship: Juliet Ali-Caccamo Sermon: Rev. Justin Schroeder Piano music: Franco Holder

Our Universalist faith is grounded in the belief that each and every person is born whole, holy, and worthy. This means that your dignity and worth (and everyone’s dignity and worth) are non-negotiable. What does it mean for us to live into this truth individually and as a community? Call to Worship by Suzan Klein, Sermon by Rev. Jen Crow

In her poem, “A New National Anthem,” the poet Ada Limon writes, “Perhaps, the truth is, every song of this country has an unsung third stanza, something brutal snaking underneath us as we blindly sing the high notes with a beer sloshing in the stands hoping our team wins.” Over these past two years, the veil has been pulled back on the ugliness that is a part of our country and its founding – racism, anti-semitism, anti-immigrant sentiment, and white nationalism – all of which have been given oxygen by the words and rhetoric of the leaders of our country. It’s enough. It’s enough to destroy our democracy. Enough to destroy our moral compass. It’s enough, and it’s time to sing a new song. Call to Worship by Daryn Woodson, Sermon by Rev. Justin Schroeder

What do you say when asked what Unitarian Universalism consists of, what defines us as religious people? Does Unitarian Universalism matter in the face of rising authoritarianism and nationalism? In this month we tackle the non-negotiables, those things that are the bedrock of our faith, the soil in which we grow our souls and the foundation on which we aspire to create a just and whole world for all. Call to Worship: Prayer for Living in Tension by Rev. Joseph Cherry, read by Liv Dalby; sermon by Rev. Ruth MacKenzie

First Universalist is a multi-racial, multi-cultural, and intergenerational faith community of mutual caring and support where people bring all of who they are and welcome each other with joy. Our sense of who we are as a community of faith is ever expanding. These words cast a vision of who we are and who we are becoming. Join us as we do the spiritual work of learning to expand the boundaries of our hearts and our community. Call to Worship by Emily Murphrey, sermon by Rev. Jen Crow

It’s easy to talk a good talk about welcoming, hospitality, and inclusion at church. After all, this ancient practice still lives at the core of our tradition. However, the Rev. Karen Hering poses a good question, “Are we accountable to people we do not know?” As we deal with the complications, hardships, and commitments of our lives from day to day, why should we prioritize welcoming the stranger? Is it possible to live a whole and wholesome life in the comfort of what/who we currently know? Join us for an exploration of hospitality, the stranger, our deepest yearnings, and the life-saving wisdom of Universalism. Call to Worship by Daryn Woodson, Sermon by Rev. Elaine Aron Tenbrink